Tri-state Area! Win a Professional Photo Shoot by Jane Goodrich Photography!

We have teamed up with Jane Goodrich Photography to bring you a super-special giveaway! One lucky reader will win an at-your-home professional photography session package worth $2850!  Visit http://www.janegoodrich.com to see more of her work.

Jane Goodrich is a New-York based newborn and children’s photographer with an artful eye and a modern edge whose talent lies in her ability to capture a moment in time – no matter how quickly it passes.

This prize is one that you and your loved ones will treasure forever. Here’s what the lucky winner will receive as part of their ‘A Day In The Life Package’:  

A Day in the Life Package - $2,850

Want to freeze this moment in time forever? From waking up, getting dressed, eating breakfast, going on a play-date or school, having lunch, naptime, seeing friends, taking a bath, reading stories. This package captures all of this along with laughs, giggles, funny faces, and tears. Don’t miss a second!

-        One Full Day Session (From Wake-up to Bedtime)

-        Portraits of Your Child, Family, and Friends

-        $500 Worth of Professional Prints

-        Image Wrapped Album of Best Images

-        Cosmetic Retouching, Editing, Post production

-        Online gallery

-        A Fully Edited High-Resolution Disk - with a minimum of 150 images in at least 3 tones

Although anyone in the U.S. and Canada can enter to win this prize – Jane Goodrich Photography only services three states – New York, New Jersey and Conn. If you are not in the tri-state area you can still enter to win and then give the giveaway prize as a gift to a relative or friend who lives in the tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT). You must schedule your photo session before April 1, 2013.

This giveaway ends February 25th and is open to anyone in the US and Canada. Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. You can complete as many entries as you like to increase your chances, but all entries are optional.  Jane Goodrich Photography is responsible for prize fulfillment. 

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It's Getting Crafty in Here!

I must admit, my sewing machine was pretty dusty. I used to sew a lot before I became a mom. I was always scouring the fabric stores and craft supply store for deals, remnants, and notions to make one-of-a-kind accessories like handbags, belts and hair clips. I sold my creations at a few small boutiques and the occasional festival. In my vision for my business, I planned to upcycle kids clothing by using my supplies to spruce up slightly damaged items destined for landfills. I made a few outfits and sold them.

But once I took Gumdrop Swap from a home-operated web business to a retail location, there just wasn't enough time for me to repurpose all the things coming in. Over the last years, I have collected many projects that I still intend to do... eventually. I take custom orders from time to time for fabric ties appliqued onto onesies.

Lately I've been hankering for small projects that I can do while sitting at my desk at work. Customers have asked me if I have bow ties and I haven't had any swapped lately. I always wince when I get this request because I think, "I can make a bow tie." And it would be a perfect way to use all my small remnants of fabric. So, here goes, introducing Gumdrop Swap Couture Bow Ties. I am sewing small clips on the back which make them able to clip to any style collar shirt.

Enter to Win! Bright Starts Sunnyside Safari Collection Giveaway

I love this collection! It all the essential baby equipment in a coordinating bright, unisex pattern. What a prize to some lucky winner. Good Luck!

Welcome to the Bright Starts Ultimate Baby Shower Giveaway!

Bright Starts and Mom to Bed by 8, the Iowa-Mom have teamed to offer an amazing Bright Starts Sunnyside Safari Collection giveaway to one lucky reader!

This includes the Sunnyside Safari™ Chair Top High Chair, Playard, Plug in Sway & Swing, Portable Swing and Saucer making this truly the Ultimate Baby Shower Gift.

Special thank you to the wonderful bloggers who made this possible including our co-hosts: To Sew with Love, The Lucky Ladybug and Mom Blog Society.

Big smiles and bright adventures go hand in hand in this exciting, fun-filled collection!

Take a walk on the sunny side-where baby gear goes together in delightful new ways. It's a win for infants and parents alike, with irresistable jungle characters adorning an array of fun coordinated products you'll use every day. Each piece of the collection does its job charmingly, with non-stop fun at an unbeatable value.

The Bright Starts Sunnyside Collection is available at Wal-Mart!

Sunnyside Safari™ Chair Top High Chair
A good high chair is a must for moms, and Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Chair Top High Chair is as good as they come! It does what a full-sized model does and more, adjusting to four different heights (and nearly any table), reclining to three positions, and converting to a booster seat for smooth transition to the toddler years.
The reversible seat pad is made of stain-resistant fabric you can wipe clean or machine-wash. The removable Stay Level Tray™ remains flat even when the seat is reclining. All this, plus the friendly characters of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Make mealtime and snack time more enjoyable for baby and you. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• Convenient 2 piece reversible seat pad is made of stain resistant fabric that is wipeable and machine washable
• 4 height positions to fit most table sizes
• 3 position recline
• Removable Stay Level Tray™ remains level even when seat is reclined
• 3 locking positions to grow with baby
• Built-in holders are convenient for drinks or snacks
• Converts to booster for easy toddler transition
• 5 point convertible safety harness

Sunnyside Safari™ Playard
A bright, sunny place for baby to rest, play, get a quick diaper change and spend a few moments with some friendly jungle pals! That's the Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Playard. This playard includes a removable bassinet with our time-saving One Less Step™ feature for easy fold-and-go mobility.
There's a convenient changing table, a handy side storage pocket, easy-roll wheels, a travel bag, plus a colorful toy bar to delight baby. And like all Bright Starts™ products, this playard is an unbeatable value. Part of our coordinated Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• Removable bassinet with One Less Step™ to quickly fold and go
• Convenient changing table
• Toy bar with 2 fun toys
• Side storage pocket
• Wheels for easy portability
• Includes travel bag

Sunnyside Safari™ Plug in Sway & Swing™
Some swings go back and forth. Some go side to side. This one does both—and does it with music, toys, and delightful jungle style. With a seat designed for 180° rotation, allowing three swing directions, the Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Plug in Sway & Swing™ uses our unique TrueSpeed™ technology to sense baby's weight and adjust for consistent speed—so it grows along with baby.
The swing also boasts a volume-adjustable 20 minutes of melodies and nature sounds, an overhead mobile—even an AC adaptor to save on battery expense. And it features the fun and engaging characters of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• Seat rotates 180° for 3 swing directions
• TrueSpeed™ technology maintains 6 speeds as baby grows
• Mobiles with 2 playtime toys easily pivots out of the way
• 20 minutes of melodies and nature sounds with volume control and auto shut-off
• AC adaptor saves money on batteries
• Swing time with 3 settings: 30, 45 and 60 minutes
• Whisper Quiet™ operation
• 5 point harness
• Machine washable seat pad
• Non-slip feet

Sunnyside Safari™ Portable Swing
Find baby's favorite speed with this innovative portable swing. The Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Portable Swing is a win for parents and babies—from its machine-washable padded seat right down to its bright yellow, non-slip feet. With six distinct speeds to choose from, you'll find it easy to suit your little one's mood—and our patented TrueSpeed™ technology keeps those speeds consistent even as baby grows.

The Comfort Recline™ seat gives you a choice of two positions, and WhisperQuiet™ operation makes this swing silent in use. Wrap it all up in the super-fun animal decor and you've got a perfect travel companion. Part of Bright Starts™’ Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Features:

• TrueSpeed™ Technology maintains 6 speeds as baby grows
• Comfort Recline™ seat with 2 positions
• Whisper Quiet™ operation
• Easily folds for storage or travel
• 5 point harness
• Machine washable seat pad
• Non-slip feet

Sunnyside Safari™ Saucer
This is where babies go for serious fun. A Walmart exclusive, the 7-activity Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Saucer offers entertainment options galore—and a lighthearted jungle theme with fun characters you'll adore.

The seat rotates a full 360° for endless interaction with the activity stations. Twin overhead toy arms provide even more entertainment options. And the three different height positions make this one saucer your baby won't soon outgrow. Four link loops mean still more toys can be attached. Part of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection, this saucer will quickly become a family favorite. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• 3 adjustable height positions allows entertainer to grow with baby
• Seat rotates 360° for nonstop interaction with 7 activity stations
• 2 overhead toy bar arms with mirror, hanging toy and fabric crinkle leaves
• Hanging elephant toy
• Bendy giraffe teething stalk
• Bead chaser with easy to grip textured beads
• Lion popper with spiraling beads
• Rotating ladybug barrels with fun textures and beads
• Rocking toucan on leaf stalk
• 4 link loops for attaching more toys
• Lays flat for storage
• Built-in toy tray is easy to clean

Giveaway starts on May 7 at 12:01AM and ends May 28 at 11:59PM. Open to the US residents only; must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Enter to win the Bright Starts Ultimate Baby Shower Giveaway including the Sunnyside Safari Collection on the rafflecopter form below.

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Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from your own. Gumdrops & Groanings Blog is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Bright Starts, Mom to Bed by 8 and Iowa-Mom is excited to present the Baby Shower Event from May 7^th to May 28^th. This is a free blogger event and accepting signups now.

Join the Bright Starts Ultimate Baby Shower Giveaway event today, grow your readership and offer one amazing baby shower gifts giveaway!

2011 Wrap Up!

2011 was my 1st complete calendar year in the retail location. I met many new people, swappers, and learned lessons. We acquired a lot more merchandise last year which required some redecorating and buying of new fixtures to display merchandise. I scored a nice acrylic shelf and pose-able mannequin from the closing of Filene's/SYMS in Fairfield, CT. And created an arch with 3 vertical shelves from Bed, Bath & Beyond when they had their Back to School Sale in September. People are surprised to find out how many NEW items and clothing we have. They are great to give as gifts for baby showers! We even offer free gift bag/box with your purchase of $10 or more.




We also began selling handmade bears by Ruth Broder. A lovely grandma who lives in the area and found the store when she was downtown for the Art Trail. She makes custom keepsake bears from fabric and can even use your child's old blanket they've outgrown. They are so adorable! They are priced according to size, $20-$30. You can contact her to order your own. rbromama@aol.com

 

Then, right before the holiay season we began selling NEW Baby Star luxury, plush accessories: blanketc, burp cloths, bibs (matching sets available in certain patterns). They range from $10-$30. This is a great deal for this expensive brand's normal retail prices. Any recipient will think you spent twice as much!

December was very busy for us. We hosted Santa Portraits again this year. But we set aside two Saturdays this year to accommodate more of your schedules. We partnered with CT Photography Plus. You had the choice of your child or whole family posing with or without Santa in front of a beautiful winter wonderland backdrop. Many avoided the long lines at the big malls and took advantage of the wonderful natural light the Arcade Mall offers.  CT Photography Plus specializes in photo shoots with daycare students and are superb with getting the young ones to feel comfortable in front of the camera! But she is a complete mobile business which can be hired for any special event like birthday parties, professional events, etc. She prints everything on site! Here are a few of my favorite shots.

Woombie: A Love Story.

I'm in love with a Local Mompreneur's products! It all started innocently enough when I accepted a "connection" on MerchantCircle from a woman named Karen and her business, Woombie. "Funny name. Never heard of it." I thought to myself.  So, I visit their website to find out what a Woombie was. I was blown away! I LOVE finding other local mompreneurs. I instantly feel connected to other mompreneurs. I know we drank the same tainted Kool-aid. Every time I find a new one, I think to myself, I'm not the only crazy one to step out on faith and start a business? This time was more special because I also thought, This woman is running THIS business in my backyard? Why are we not best friends? MY customers would her products! How can I get involved? So, instead of putting it on my to-do list which is infinite and hardly gets revisited, I just did it. I became a seller of all things Woombie.

Check out http://Woombie.com/ and then order through me for my special 10% OFF deal and have your purchase shipped directly you OR pickup in the store! Great gift item for yourself or someone else!

Save up to 80% on custom printed products at Vistaprint. Order today!Get Paid to Tweet! http://ad.ly/publisher/refer/251902558

Everything is Coming Up Roses!

 I have thousands of new socks at Gumdrop Swap! That is not an exaggeration. I have designer socks most of them are Tic Tac Toe (Cricket Hosiery) brand which I've seen for sale at Lord & Taylor kids dept for $4.50 a pair! What the heck? Who can afford to pay that much for a pair of something knowing that it's 99% likely one of the pair will be eaten when they are laundered and disappear into the black hole of lost laundry? Socks at Gumdrop Swap are always $1 a pair. Some are solid colors, some have a cute pattern, others have a 3D element such as a bow, lace, appliqué, etc. Still ONLY $1! I've admitted I've never gone to business school but I'm trying to sell these socks because I got a good deal on the lot and there is no reason to hold onto them. They aren't making me any money just sitting there, lol. So, I was inspired when I saw someone selling  roses made of socks. I thought to myself, I can make those!  (A view from the top)Event Page

I didn't know how at the time but I knew what supplies it would take to get it done from my days of floral design as an assistant in the floral dept of a grocery store (my first job). It amazing how running this boutique draws from EVERY skill and talent God has blessed me with. Each seemingly random job I've done in the past has somehow come into play. The photos seen here are of my first attempt which I gifted for my cousin-in-laws' baby shower. The lost of the party actually placed it on a table thinking it was decoration. That was a compliment! I will make more for the Bridgeport Arts Festival this coming Saturday at McLevy Green in downtown Bridgeport.









I did 2 more arrangements today.

an another 7/14/10
 yellow wildflowers & white roses

 Get Paid to Tweet! http://ad.ly/publisher/refer/251902558